diff --git a/esp32/mods/modbt.c b/esp32/mods/modbt.c
index 8b8ae40d1d..529159630b 100644
--- a/esp32/mods/modbt.c
+++ b/esp32/mods/modbt.c
@@ -1062,12 +1062,9 @@ static void gatts_event_handler(esp_gatts_cb_event_t event, esp_gatt_if_t gatts_
 /// \class Bluetooth
 static mp_obj_t bt_init_helper(bt_obj_t *self, const mp_arg_val_t *args) {
     if (!self->init) {
-        if (!self->controller_active) {
-            esp_bt_controller_config_t bt_cfg = BT_CONTROLLER_INIT_CONFIG_DEFAULT();
-            esp_bt_controller_init(&bt_cfg);
-            self->controller_active = true;
-        }
 
+        esp_bt_controller_config_t bt_cfg = BT_CONTROLLER_INIT_CONFIG_DEFAULT();
+        esp_bt_controller_init(&bt_cfg);
         esp_bt_controller_enable(ESP_BT_MODE_BLE);
 
         if (ESP_OK != esp_bluedroid_init()) {